FIFA President Gianni Infantino sends an emotional Infantino Messi message after the Argentina legend retires from international football

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sent an emotional message to Lionel Messi following the Argentina forward’s retirement from international football.

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Infantino described Messi as a “legend” and thanked him for the unforgettable moments he provided to Argentina supporters and football fans around the world during his distinguished international career.

The FIFA president shared his message on Instagram, accompanied by a photograph of himself with Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy.

“Congratulations, Messi, thank you very much! Argentine fans and Messi loyalists worldwide were incredibly emotional seeing you perform that timeless magic in the national team jersey for the last time! Good luck, legend,” Infantino wrote.

Messi’s departure from international football marks the end of a remarkable chapter for one of the greatest players in the history of the game.

The 39-year-old forward leaves the Argentina national team as its most-capped player, having made 208 appearances for the South American giants.

His international journey, which began in 2005, was defined by both disappointment and extraordinary success.

For years, Messi carried the expectations of an Argentine football nation that had grown accustomed to comparing every generation with the achievements of Diego Maradona and the country’s other greats.

The pressure intensified after Argentina suffered defeats in major finals, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup final and the 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals.

However, Messi eventually ended that long wait for major international silverware.

The defining moment of Messi’s international career came at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Argentina defeated France on penalties in a dramatic final after the match finished 3-3 following extra time.

Messi scored twice in the final and converted Argentina’s first penalty during the shootout as La Albiceleste lifted the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

The victory completed the most coveted achievement in international football for Messi and further cemented his status among the game’s all-time greats.

His success with Argentina did not end in Qatar.

Messi had already helped the country win the 2021 Copa América, before leading Argentina to another major international title at the 2024 Copa América.

Those achievements brought an extraordinary transformation to the narrative surrounding his national-team career.

Messi’s early years with Argentina were marked by immense expectations and painful setbacks.

Despite producing outstanding individual performances, he was repeatedly criticised whenever the national team failed to win a major trophy.

His decision to briefly retire from international football in 2016 reflected the frustration that followed Argentina’s Copa América Centenario final defeat by Chile.

But Messi returned and continued to lead the national team.

The eventual success that followed made his international career one of the most compelling stories in modern football.

Infantino’s tribute reflects the global appreciation for the career Messi built with Argentina, particularly the moments that culminated in World Cup glory.

Following his Argentina retirement, Messi is expected to concentrate on club football with Inter Miami.

The move brings an emotional international chapter to a close but does not necessarily signal the end of his playing career.

Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain and has continued to play a central role for the Major League Soccer club.

His presence in the United States has also helped raise the profile of football ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Infantino is among a growing list of football figures to recognise Messi’s extraordinary contribution to Argentina and the sport as a whole.

His message carried particular weight given his position as FIFA president and his close association with Messi during the latter stages of his international career.

By describing Messi’s performances in the Argentina shirt as “timeless magic”, Infantino captured the sentiment surrounding the forward’s final appearance for his country.

For Argentina supporters, Messi’s legacy is no longer defined by the trophies he once lacked.

It is defined by the World Cup he finally delivered, the Copa América titles that followed and more than two decades of moments that made him one of football’s most influential figures.

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Now, with his international career behind him, Messi begins the next stage of his football journey.

And as Infantino put it: “Good luck, legend.”